Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 0 | −50% | 2 | — | Few |
| 2017 | 2 | — | 2 | Electrical | Few |
| 2016 | 2 | — | 3 | Wheel & Tire | Few |
* Complaints compared with the median A3 Sportback E-Tron year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron problems
Latest Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 Audi TT Roadster, TT Coupe, S3 Sedan, R8 Coupe, A3 Sedan, A3 Etron, A3 Cabriolet, 2016 Golf Sportwagen, Golf R, Golf GTI, Golf A7, and E Golf vehicles. During air bag deployment, the front passenger air bag may explode or deploy improperly.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front-passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Audi S3 Sedan, A3 Sedan, 2016-2018 A3 Etron, 2017-2020 RS3 Sedan, and 2015-2019 A3 Cabriolet vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction and switch off the passenger air bag even when the seat is occupied.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and update the PODS control module, free of charge. Owners letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi S3 Sedan, 2015-2019 A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet, 2016-2018 A3 e-tron, and 2017-2019 RS3 vehicles. An improper electrical contact may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) to falsely detect a malfunction and deactivate the passenger air bag.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and reroute the cable, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron should you avoid?
None of the Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron years has an unusually high number of complaints compared with the others at the same age.
What is the best year for the Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron?
2018 has the fewest complaints compared with other A3 Sportback E-Tron years at the same age. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the wheels & tires (2), windows, wipers & sunroof (1) and electrical system (1). Wheel & Tire complaints peak in the 2016 model year.
How many recalls has the Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron had?
3 recalls across 2016–2018. The model year with the most is 2016. See all Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.